Louis Van Gaal says Man Utd do not expect as easy tie againt FC Midtjylland
Thursday 18 February 2016 18:07, UK
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is not expecting an easy time of it when his side clash with FC Midtjylland in the Europa League this evening.
Van Gaal has made it clear he is targeting victory in the competition this season, not least because it would afford his team a route back into the Champions League.
However, an injury-hit United side will take to the field for the first leg at the MCH Arena, which has a capacity of just 11,800.
And Van Gaal thinks the size of the pitch and the style Midtjylland adopt could pose problems.
"They play in a very difficult shape for us," he said. "The same as Sunderland [who beat United on Saturday in the Premier League].
"And the circumstances are also not so easy.
"I have seen the pitch. I have seen that the pitch is smaller than usual, so it is not so easy to beat Midtjylland here, and a lot of teams have seen that."
However, Van Gaal remains adamant that Europa League glory represents a tricky but achievable aim for his side.
"I think it is difficult to win," he said. "Because there are also very good European teams in the League and we are in the last-32, so we need to win a lot of rounds still.
"But it is a way to come into the Champions League also, so it is a fantastic aim for us to win this cup, because also Manchester United never has won this cup."
United trained in the stadium last night and a number of unfamiliar faces may be in the side tonight, due to the growing injury list, 19-year-old full-back Joe Riley the latest call-up from the youth teams.
Fellow full-back Donald Love is also in Denmark after coming off the bench to make his debut against Sunderland and he has been joined by midfielder James Weir, who was an unused sub on Saturday.
And, with captain Wayne Rooney ruled out for six weeks, Will Keane could get his chance to make an impact up front.
Rooney, Marouane Fellaini and Matteo Darmian are among 13 injured players for United.
